Appeal No. 1998-1390
Application 08/607,441
In light of Motegi”s teaching that typical examples of
cellulosic fillers include cellulose powder, wood flour , wood 1
chip, rice hull, used paper, and pulp, the examiner argues
that to one of ordinary skill in the “plastic” art, Nara’s
disclosure of “cellulose” would suggest wood particles
(presumably wood meal filler for a molded plastic). See the
answer at page 7.
We agree with appellants that the above relied upon
disclosures are too vague and speculative to constitute an
adequate factual basis for establishing a prima facie case of
obviousness for the subject matter here claimed directed to
wood meal granules. First, while Nara makes a broad reference
to plastic components, Nara makes no mention of fillers for
plastics, much less mention of “cellulosic” fillers. Nara’s
disclosure of plastic “components” is inclusive of plastic
particulates, antistatic agents, antioxidants, lubricants,
1Wood flour is synonymous with wood meal. See Hackh’s
Chemical Dictionary, Fourth edition, p 725, c 1977, of record
herein.
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